Canine gesture for dying man

Canine gesture for dying man - The West Australian

As Alan James Higgs lay on the road after a car hit him on his morning walk in Coolbinia a week ago, a dog appeared out of nowhere and sat beside him until help arrived.

This simple gesture has brought Mr Higgs' family much comfort as they begin their lives without him. "The nicest part of all was the news that the dog sat with him until he was taken away and then just wandered off," Mr Higgs' wife Sue said.

Mr Higgs died after an 82-year-old Coolbinia man in a Mercedes-Benz allegedly hit him in Carnarvon Crescent at 6.50am on February 20.

Mr Higgs, a petroleum engineer, was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago and twice won that battle.

The 65-year-old used his daily walks to keep fit enough for such challenges and to keep up with grandchildren Mikayla, 7, Jonathon, 7, and Ethan, 5. "He absolutely lit up when they were around," Mrs Higgs said. He was also a "font of knowledge" for his family, especially the youngest members.

Mrs Higgs said she would miss her honest, straightforward and intelligent soulmate. "I suppose we were blessed that apart from being very much in love, we were also best friends," she said.